Schools respond to death

Houghton Lake High School Principal Brent Cryderman told the Resorter he addressed the students and staff Monday morning about the car accident that claimed the life of Jared Lee Miller.

“The day started out on a pretty somber note,” he said.

In his school address, he said, “Words are inadequate to express our feelings in times like these. I am glad that you are here in school and taking advantage of another day.”

Cryderman reminded students of the message they had heard from national speaker Jim Tuman in an all-school assembly, ironically, the day Miller died. He said Tuman’s message centered on the relationships in one’s life.

“It is my hope that each of [you] comprehends that message more fully today and that it will profoundly impact how you think and act for the rest of your life,” Cryderman said. “Each one of you is an important part of the Bobcat family. Your teachers, assistants, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, counselors and principals care deeply about your success and your well-being.”

He announced that grief counseling was available in the counseling office.

“As educators and parents, we take the loss of a student’s life very personally,” he said. “Each of us has experienced loss and those memories and emotions return each time a tragedy like this occurs. If there is any good that comes from a bad in this case, I would hope that all of our student drivers would commit to always wearing seat belts and to not take any risks when driving.”

Cryderman said he has been in touch with all of the parents whose children were involved in the accident.

At Monday’s board of education meeting, President Tom Dean took a moment to honor the life of Miller. He said the board offers its condolences to his family. He asked people to keep the other individuals involved in the accident in their thoughts and prayers.

Superintendent Kevin Murphy said counseling was also available at Houghton Lake Middle School.